The hardy hibiscus have begun to bloom. This first picture is of Texas Star. Earlier this year, I discovered that these plants can grow in wet or dry conditions. In my yard they only get rain water. At the Outdoor Education Center in Kaufman, they are planted in the bog and are wet all of the time. Both sets of plants are doing just fine, but mine bloomed earlier. In defense of the Education Center plants, they were just planted last fall.
This is Moy Grande. I wish there was a kid handy to show you the size of that flower. When they say as big as a dinner plate, they are not kidding.
Finally, these are my volunteer zinnias. They come up on their own every year. I do save seeds from the yellow blooms because they don't seem to reseed as well as the others. The rest just get tossed in the compost pile and come up where ever they want.
My neighbor has a few Texas Star and they are truly tall and proud. Love that your Zinnias are free to roam. I haven't seen any signs of mine so I think some little critter hauled them off. We have a fertile year for rodents. They are so competitive over the food. Hard to imagine they could find all my zinnia seeds but who knows cause I sure don't see them. Last year I had a bunch.
ReplyDeleteMy zinnias that I planted this spring got a late start so they are way behind your self-seeding ones. Your Texas Star is gorgeous. :)
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, those hibiscus's (is that the plural?) are grand! If they make seed, save me some, if not, I'll have to find some in the nurseries! How big does that Texas star get? My neighbor planted one this spring, but no action yet.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen anything like that Texas Star. How cool!
ReplyDeletePretty blooms!(-: I love volunteers(-:
ReplyDeleteMine haven't bloomed, but they're close. They aren't in full sun all day, which may make a difference. Hey, I have a question for you and all your gardening buddies. My bronze fennel is croaking. Why? It's wilting and dying within a day, one after another. They aren't trying to go to seed or anything. In the past they have been fine with being wet or dry and never wilted. Is there something in my soil?
ReplyDeleteAnna, I wonder if the critters can actually see those seeds.
ReplyDeleteRacquel, thanks. Zinnias like the heat so yours will probably pick up speed soon.
Nola, I can do you one better. I have baby Texas stars compliments of butterfly gardening sister. You are welcome to a couple.
Ginger, It is one of my favorite plants, but Middle Monkey claims it is "his" plant.
Thanks Cindee
Hey sister, I will run you a whats wrong with my sisters fennel post for tomorrow. I would bet it is spider mites. I will come give you a diagnosis later this week.
Love the hardy hibiscus. It even grows here though it's one of the LAST things to green out--I always think it died and it never has. Mine is about a foot tall now, only green. I had a dream last night all my tomatoes were ripe--alas, no.
ReplyDeleteMonica, I love gardening and plant dreams. I'm still eating your tomatoes yum
ReplyDeleteThe hibiscus is a knockout. And I'm a big zinnia fan, too. I've planted a green one this year.
ReplyDeleteAvis, you have the Envy zinnia and now I envy you. I love that flower
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